Wrestling Appoints Third Woman to Governing Body

10/22/13

Huynh spoke on behalf of FILA at last month's IOC session. (Getty Images)

(ATR) The international wrestling federation has appointed a chairwoman to head its new athletes' commission, fulfilling one of the sport’s promises to the IOC after regaining its status on the Olympic program.

FILA announced Tuesday that Carol Huynh, a gold medal-winning wrestler from Canada, had been elected to the role and will represent the sport’s athletes on the FILA Bureau.

She becomes the third woman on the organization’s governing body.

Huynh, who won gold at the Beijing Games and a bronze at London 2012, was part of the five-person delegation that presented wrestling’s case to the IOC on Sept. 8 in Buenos Aires. Wrestling garnered 49 votes to 24 for baseball-softball and 22 for squash in its successful campaign to stay in the Olympics.

Wrestling lost its status as a core Olympic sport at February’s Executive Board meeting but transformed itself during the seven-month campaign to “save” the sport.

“It's a great honor to have been elected by my peers to be on the athletes’ commission and to represent them on the FILA Bureau,” Huynh said.

Huynh won gold for Canada five years ago in Beijing. (Getty Images)

“It is an even greater responsibility to ensure that the athletes’ voice is heard. My goal as athletes’ commission representative is to help cultivate an environment in our global wrestling community in which our athletes take an active role and interest in the governance of our sport.

“This role in governance for athletes is an important step for FILA,” she added. “It indicates that athletes are the main focus. With the collaboration of my fellow athletes’ commission members, I have high hopes and confidence in the direction of our new FILA.”

The seven-member commission was formed by FILA at the world championships in September.

“She helped our sport at a critical time to recapture our Olympic spot. And now she’s part of the first athletes’ commission in our sport’s history and will represent our athletes from around the world in the FILA Bureau. We couldn’t be prouder.”

The other women on the 26-member FILA Bureau are Rodica Yaksi of Turkey and Natalia Yariguina of Russia.

FILA confirmed today that it was currently finalizing the composition of 17 commissions as part of its shake-up of wrestling’s governance.